letsgocruz1 Posted August 20, 2006 #1 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I booked flights this morning into FLL and we have a 2.5 hr layover in Charlotte. This would be the perfect time for us to have a late lunch/early dinner between flights. We are inexperienced flyers (only flown twice each) so I'm not sure but, are we allowed to leave the secure area and go to the "atrium" area to eat? I see they have a Chili's restaurant there and that sounds perfect, just aren't sure if it's allowed. I realize we would have to go back through security again. Any thoughts on this?? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetz Posted August 20, 2006 #2 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I don't think you will have to go back through security. Once you go throught security when you first arrive you can walk all over the place and there are many places to eat. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve20832 Posted August 20, 2006 #3 Share Posted August 20, 2006 The food court is in the area between gates so you will not have to go through security again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJPNYC Posted August 20, 2006 #4 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Coming to the original question, the answer is "yes, you can leave the secure area." The only down side to this is that you have to re-go through the entire security procedure to get back to the councourse. If you are doing this be sure to bring your boarding passes with you though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve20832 Posted August 20, 2006 #5 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Coming to the original question, the answer is "yes, you can leave the secure area." The only down side to this is that you have to re-go through the entire security procedure to get back to the councourse. If you are doing this be sure to bring your boarding passes with you though. Chili's is in the food court so they will not have to leave and come back through security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgocruz1 Posted August 20, 2006 Author #6 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Thank you. I had looked at their website, and I misunderstood where the food court is located. I think we'll plan to eat at Chili's then...sounds easy enough. So glad we won't have to go through security again. That will save some time and hassle and we can just relax for a little bit between flights. Thanks again, I wouldn't even begin to know how to start planning for this vacation if it weren't for all of the CC'ers out there!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinMatt Posted August 21, 2006 #7 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Plan for lines or waiting at Chili's - Charlotte is a big "connection" hub and can get very busy and Chili's is a popular place to eat. If you have time after eating, grab two of the rocking chairs in the Atrium - very comfortable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJPNYC Posted August 21, 2006 #8 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Having done enough travel to count as a frequent traveler, and eating at too many airport Chili's for my own good, one trick to grab a quick table at Chili's is to grab a couple of seats at the bar if there is only 2 of you as they serve the full menu at the bar. I've done that a few times and am usually in & out before some people have made it to the front of the line (even though they are pretty good at turning over tables). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgocruz1 Posted August 21, 2006 Author #9 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Thank you for the advice. I hadn't thought about there being a wait there...duh! There's a wait everytime we go to dinner, so why not at the airport, too?? Anyway, if we can't grab seats at the bar, we may just get it "to go" and find someplace else to sit and eat. I guess I sound like a planner, huh? I plan everything...down to where we'll eat between flights, LOL I like to know what I'm doing!! And, whether he'd admit it or not, dh relies on my planning! Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin Kay D Posted August 28, 2006 #10 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Just my 2 cents from years of traveling by air: Although you have 2.5 hr layover -- DO NOT LINGER at Chili's and DO NOT WAIT the whole 2.5 hr to go to the gate of 2nd flight -- get there at least 1/2 hr to 40 minutes BEFORE the flight is to leave!!!! Often boarding early -- if you wait too long, they'll give your spot to someone else, despite the fact you have a ticket & boarding pass. OR the gate could be switched to another location in the airport -- that happens often at many airports. If a plane is delayed & when it arrives another plane is in its spot, it will be put at another gate. That 2.5 hr will go alot faster than you realize!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgocruz1 Posted August 28, 2006 Author #11 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Just my 2 cents from years of traveling by air: Although you have 2.5 hr layover -- DO NOT LINGER at Chili's and DO NOT WAIT the whole 2.5 hr to go to the gate of 2nd flight -- get there at least 1/2 hr to 40 minutes BEFORE the flight is to leave!!!! Often boarding early -- if you wait too long, they'll give your spot to someone else, despite the fact you have a ticket & boarding pass. OR the gate could be switched to another location in the airport -- that happens often at many airports. If a plane is delayed & when it arrives another plane is in its spot, it will be put at another gate. That 2.5 hr will go alot faster than you realize!!! Thank you for the advice. We will make sure we're there 45 mins before, just to be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.